Recent international research has spotlighted a growing crisis of loneliness among young men in the United States, with a scale and gender disparity that stands out even among wealthier Western countries. According to aggregated data from 2023 and 2024 by Gallup, one in four American men aged 15 to 34 reported feeling lonely “a lot” of the previous day—significantly higher than both the national average (18%) and the rate among young American women (also 18%) (Gallup; UPI; Fortune). Experts warn that these findings suggest not only a deepening emotional health problem among U.S. young men, but also an exceptional pattern rarely mirrored elsewhere in the developed world.
This growing mental health challenge has particular resonance in Thailand, where rapidly shifting work patterns, changing conceptions of masculinity, and urbanisation echo many of the pressures young Americans face, albeit in a unique social landscape. The spike in loneliness among young U.S. men is an urgent warning for Thai policymakers, educators, and families to re-examine similar risks here at home.
In contrast to most OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, where younger men’s experiences of loneliness align closely with national averages, the United States stands out for its stark gender and age divide. While the OECD median loneliness rate among young men is 15%, the U.S. figure climbs to 25%. Only Turkey surpasses the U.S. at 29% among young men. Strikingly, the “loneliness gap” in the U.S.—how much more likely young men are to report loneliness compared to other adults—is the largest among the 38 higher-income democracies surveyed (Gallup).
In other wealthy countries such as Iceland and Denmark, loneliness does rise among young men but only to 15%, with the rest of the population reporting even lower rates (10% and 9%, respectively). Elsewhere, countries like Slovakia, Greece, and Colombia reported scenarios where young men exhibit less loneliness than older citizens, underlining just how unusual the American context is.
Researchers and policymakers are trying to unravel the forces driving this epidemic. Shifting social norms, digital isolation, weakening community ties, and economic uncertainty are thought to be key factors. “In the U.S., traditional pathways for making friends and forming bonds—like religious communities, stable workplaces, and neighborhood groups—have eroded. Young men, especially, seem to have lost the ‘social scripts’ that previous generations relied upon,” a mental health policy analyst from The New School observed in a Washington Post report. Psychologists highlight the decline of in-person connections amid a surge in digital interaction, as well as persistent societal expectations around masculinity that discourage men from seeking emotional help.
The impact of loneliness on personal wellbeing is profound. Gallup’s data links frequent loneliness with lower ratings of life satisfaction, reduced frequency of smiling or laughter, poorer sleep, and diminished sense of personal freedom. It also correlates closely to both daily stress and worry: 57% of young American men reported daily stress (compared to 48% of other adults), while 46% reported daily worry (far outpacing the 36% OECD average for both age groups). These “stacked” mental strains, combined with growing rates of anxiety and depression, create a compounded risk of long-term ill health, addiction, and even suicide.
While similar detailed Gallup-style surveys are rare in Thailand, local research has already sounded the alarm about rising loneliness and mental health difficulties among Thai youth. In 2022, one study from Mahidol University’s Center for Psychological Wellness highlighted that over 40% of surveyed Thai undergraduates experienced significant levels of loneliness, with men reporting slightly higher rates than women (Mahidol University). Cultural shifts in Thailand—accelerated by urban migration, competitiveness in the job market, and the COVID-19 pandemic’s social distancing habits—are believed to be contributing factors. The breakdown of extended family support systems, especially in urban centres like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, has further reduced daily opportunities for social interaction and emotional support.
Cultural expectations play another critical role in both countries. In Thailand, concepts like “kreng jai” (ความเกรงใจ)—the tendency to avoid burdening others or expressing personal needs—can make it especially challenging for young men to seek help for loneliness or mental health struggles. Similarly, U.S. men are often socialized to be stoic, self-reliant, and outwardly confident, making it hard to admit vulnerability in a society that prizes “toughness” in young males.
International experts emphasize that social isolation and loneliness are not mere personal failures, but urgent public health challenges. “Loneliness is as dangerous to long-term health as smoking or obesity,” a clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School explained in a 2024 Lancet commentary. Chronic loneliness is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, immune dysfunction, cognitive decline, and early mortality. Policymakers in countries like the United Kingdom and Japan have even appointed national “ministers of loneliness” in response to mounting evidence of harm (BBC).
The world’s loneliness crisis is not just about the numbers; it is a reflection of far-reaching societal change. The shift to remote work and study, the rise of social media platforms prioritizing curated content over real connection, and the economic pressures on marriage and family formation all contribute to young men’s sense of disconnection. A 2025 Ipsos Generations Report notes that Gen Z men globally are less likely than their female peers to say they have a “close confidant” (Ipsos), and they report higher skepticism about institutions that traditionally fostered belonging.
For Thai readers, the American experience offers valuable lessons. As Thailand faces its own rapid societal transformation, it is crucial for universities, workplaces, and policymakers to proactively address the emotional wellbeing of young men. Community programs that encourage peer support, safe spaces for emotional expression, and campaigns to challenge masculine stereotypes can help. Investing in accessible mental health services—especially for digital natives who may be more comfortable online—should be a national health priority. Family, teachers, and religious leaders can also play a vital role by creating environments where young men feel comfortable talking about loneliness without stigma.
Thailand’s own Buddhist traditions emphasize interconnectedness (“paticca samuppada” – ปฏิจจสมุปบาท) and compassion, which can be harnessed to foster stronger community ties. “We must revive village-style neighborliness and caring, even in the heart of Bangkok,” noted a policy advisor with the Thai Mental Health Department in a recent press interview; “Modern urban life need not mean isolation—it is a challenge of planning, policy, and public awareness.”
Looking forward, both American and Thai societies face critical choices. International and local trends suggest loneliness will continue rising among young men unless new approaches are taken. Digital technologies must be reoriented to foster connection rather than competition or comparison. Young men need role models of vulnerability and supportive peer networks, both in person and online. If left unchecked, the long-term consequences will not only affect individual health but also national productivity, social harmony, and even security.
For Thai families and communities, the call to action is clear: regularly check in with the young men in your lives, encourage honest discussions about emotional needs, and push for workplace and school programs that tackle loneliness head-on. National health authorities should prioritize funding for youth mental health initiatives and sponsor research to better understand Thai-specific risk factors. The lessons from young American men’s loneliness crisis are a vital early warning—one that Thailand ignores at its own peril.
Source citations:
- Gallup World Poll: Younger Men in the U.S. Among the Loneliest in West
- UPI: U.S. young men feel lonelier than other age groups
- Fortune: Gen Z and millennial men in the U.S. are among the loneliest in the world
- Washington Post: Are young American men lonelier than women?
- Mahidol University research on Thai university students’ mental health
- Ipsos Generations Report 2025
- The Lancet: Loneliness and global mental health
- BBC: The world’s new ministers of loneliness